The Fundamental 5 National Summit - Just 2 Weeks Away

The second annual Fundamental 5 National Summit will be held in Austin, Texas on October 5^th and 6^th.  Last year over 400 educators from across the country (and Canada) met for the purpose of better implementing the Fundamental 5 on their campuses.

This is a practitioner’s summit, with real live teachers and campus administrators leading the breakout sessions.

The Fundamental 5 National Summit is open to all states, all schools, and all grade levels! Bring your team and experience the power that is unleashed when theory and practice align.



The Fundamental 5 National Summit

Austin, Texas

October 5 & 6, 2014

Open to All Educators

Presented by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 

Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool) 

Upcoming Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote Presentation); ASCD Annual Conference 

Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Blog and E-mail: A Review of Functiona

Some of you have seen a version of this post before, but since I wrote it, we have added approximately 120 new members to the LYS Nation blog roll.  Therefore, I thought a refresher might be in order.  The following is my attempt to explain the features that are embedded in the blog site and the e-mail updates.

Note: This section relates to the blog site (not the e-mail updates).

On the left side of the page, E-Mail Updates: If you enter your e-mail address in the subscribe box, you will get a daily e-mail update of all the postings within the last 24 hours, after you respond to the confirmation e-mail (a spam preventative).

On the left side of the page, under the E-Mail Updates area:  UpTweet – If you like a post, click UpTweet and it takes you to your twitter account so you can post a link on your timeline.

On the left side of the page, under the UpTweet area:  Lead Your School Resources and Tools - Links to the Lead Your School campus support site; PowerWalks site; Amazon.com page for “The Fundamental Five: The Formula for Quality Instruction”; Amazon.com page for “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale”; and the Amazon.com page for “Jump Start Your School”.

On the left side of the page, under the Lead Your School Resources and Tools area: Current School News - Click on any of the four key words and the most current news stories that relate to that key word will be displayed.

On the left side of the page, under the Current School News area: Popular Posts – Shows the three most viewed blog posts from the last thirty days.

On the left side of the page, under the Popular Posts area: RSS Subscriptions

On the left side of the page, under RSS Feeds:  RSS Followers

At the bottom of the blog page, under the last post of the week: Blog Archives - Click on a week, and all the posts from that week will be displayed.

Note: This section relates to the actual posts (on the blog site).
If you click on a post title, it will pull up a comment box at the end of the post. Just type in your comment and click the "post comment" button.

At the bottom of each post, click "comment" and you can leave a comment or read comments others have left. However, the majority of the comments, I post under the heading, "A Reader Writes."

At the bottom of each post, click the envelope if you want to e-mail that post to another person.

At the bottom of each post, if you click a "Label" word, it will pull up all the other posts that have the same label words.

At the bottom of the post, there are reaction boxes. You get to rate the post.

Note: This section relates to the E-mail updates.

If you click on "Lead Your School", it will take you to the blog site.

If you click on a post title, it will take you to the post and there will be a comment box at the bottom of the screen. Just type in your comment and click the "post comment" button.

Note: This section relates to Reader Comments.

This is how all comments are handled:

Your comments, opinions and question are welcomed and encouraged.  Keep them coming.

All comments opinions and questions are reviewed by me.

Comments, opinions and questions, where it is asked that the information not be shared, receive a private response from me.

One liners and comments that do not require a response are just posted as a comment.

Comments, opinions and questions of merit are posted as, “A Reader Writes…”  They are posted in a first come, first serve fashion.  So sometimes it takes a while to get to yours.

I don’t know if it is proper blog etiquette or not, but I spell and grammar check comments before I post them.

Comments are handled with a modified FERPA procedure.  I will and do mask the identities of some writers, their schools and their districts.  I do this to protect the writer and who or what they are writing about.

Post format.

Text in italics is the comment of the reader.

Your turn… This is your invitation to weigh in and join the conversation.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote Presentation); ASCD Annual Conference 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

State of the Blog - The Last 100 Posts (1,600 and Counting)

Hello, LYS Nation.  This is the 1,600^th post to the column, so as has become our tradition, we will review our progress. 

First, the review:

The 1^st post was on Monday, February 16, 2009.

The 100^th post was on April 14, 2009.

The 200^th post was on June 10, 2009

The 300^th post was on September 2, 2009

The 400^th post was on December 16, 2009

The 500^th post was on April 7, 2010

The 600^th post was on August 2, 2010

The 700^th post was on December 17, 2010

The 800^th post was on May 17, 2011

The 900^th post was on October 5, 2011

The 1,000^th post was on March 7, 2012

The 1,100^th post was on August 24, 2012

The 1,200^th post was on February 1, 2013

The 1,300^th  post was on June 5, 2013

The 1,400^th post was on October 30, 2013

The 1,500^th post was on April 7, 2014

The 1,600^th post is today, September 18, 2014

The top 15 posts, in terms of distribution, have been:

1.     Your Best STAAR Preparation Plan – Section 2 (3/6/2014)

2.     Your Best STAAR Preparation Plan – Section 1 (3/5/2014)

3.     Student Test Taking Anxiety is 99% on Us (3/12/2014)

4.     Campus Security Checklist (12/18/2012)

5.     A Reader Writes... Lesson Framing – Part 1 (10/11/2013)

6.     New From the Lead Your School Lab... The Fundamental 5 Classroom App (8/26/2014)

7.     A Reader Asks... HS Math Lesson Frames (2/19/2014)

8.     Your 6-step STAAR Preparation Strategy (12/14/2012)

9.     A Principal Asks... Should We Frame a Test (11/6/2013)

10.  Make the Last Month Count (4/25/2014)

11.  A Reader Asks... Lesson Framing (3/18/2014)

12.  Sometimes It Pays to Play the Game (6/26/2013)

13.  Dr. Rich Allen Writes... The Room Set-up Matters (8/20/2014)

14.  A Superintendent Writes... A Drop In Scores (7/17/2013)

15.  A Reader Asks... We Need a POWER ZONE Explanation (10/29/2013)

There are now international readers and e-mail subscribers, with the following 40 countries represented: Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Japan, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Venezuela

All of this is incredibly exciting; especially when you consider that not too long ago, every number was 0.

A Little Blatant Self Promotion:

First, if you like the blog and you haven’t signed up for the e-mail subscription, please do so.  I find that it’s easier to write to people than it is to write to web hits.

Second, if you like the blog and find it useful, tell three other people.  This blog is a much more powerful resource for school improvement when it is a dialogue.

Third, if you have not sent in a comment yet, please do so.  Education research points out that the act of critical writing actually makes the learner smarter.  Let the blog assist you in sharpening your saw.

Finally:

Thank you so much for reading and responding.  This network, which started out as a way for just a handful of principals to stay connected has turned into a small nation of board members, central office administrators, campus leaders, and teachers who are focused on redefining what students are capable of.  Who knows what we will discuss in the next 100 posts.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote Presentation); ASCD Annual Conference 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

A Superintendent Writes... Treat the Symptoms vs. Treat the Disease

A LYS Superintendent submits the following:

LYS Nation,

Of course we know that not every disease has a cure.  If a patient is sick, then most certainly the ideal course of action is to cure the disease.  This can be done through surgery, or perhaps through antibiotics.  Of course there are some ailments that simply can't be cured.  In these cases physicians treat the symptoms: can you lower the fever; stop the bleeding?  You get the idea.  There may be no cure for the flu, but we can lower fever and manage symptoms until the body heals itself, which is a neat trick.  Too bad organizations can't spontaneously heal themselves.  

Now I am sure you are wondering where this is going.  You see, I was recently asked to interview in a larger district. In the interview I was asked a question about dealing with a principal who did not get along with his faculty.  I gave the Board the correct answer, but it was not the answer the Board was looking for.  Which means that particular Board failed in my interview of them (and it is safe to assume that the reverse is also true).

If you have discord on a campus between administration and faculty, it is prudent for the superintendent to cure the disease.  In my interview scenario the board obviously wanted to hear that the principal had to go.  They heard no such response from me.  My course of action would be to determine the source of discord: administration or faculty.  If the principal is a tyrant bent on abusing people, the principal has to go.  If the faculty has a general attitude of insubordination and doesn't want to do what the principal asks them to do, then a whole bunch of faculty needs to go.

The Board believed, and wanted me to confirm, that it would be easier to find a new principal rather than a whole bunch of new teachers.  Easier yes, but that is treating the symptoms, not the disease.  

If I take an utterly dysfunctional faculty and add another principal, guess what?  I sill have a dysfunctional faculty.  I cured nothing, and the symptom relief I get will be brief indeed.  I have seen campuses go through every type of principal possible before realizing some teachers had to go.  In the interim, the children suffered tremendously, a fact that the adults and leadership aggressively ignore.  

It is emotionally and intellectually satisfying to think replacing a principal is the best way to solve discord problems on a campus.  And certainly, it is numerically easier (and politically easier) to replace one principal rather than a bunch of teachers.  But unless the principal is the problem, you have cured nothing, the disease will still rage (although it may go dormant for a short time) and the children will suffer.  Be brave and take the high road.  Determine what the disease is, and act to cure it.  It will take decisive action, because unlike the body, your organization will not heal itself.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote Presentation) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

A Reader Writes... Vision, Mission, Goal, Target - Part 2

In response to the 5/22/14 post, “Vision – Mission – Goal – Target: A Travelogue,” a LYS Assistant Superintendent shares:

SC,

This is the best description, definition, visual representation I have ever seen of vision, mission, goals and their relationship to each other.  As usual, LYS has done it again. 

I want to let you know that after 41 years, I’m retiring.  Though it was a while back, I am grateful for the leadership and mentoring that you provided back when we were in the same district.  You allowed me to do my thing and knew how to rein me in when I started to go astray.  And you did it in such a way that I didn’t mind it, at least most of the time. I will continue to follow your blog and I will keep sharing it with the teachers that I will continue to mentor. 

SC Response

First, coming from you this is high praise. Very high praise. Second, I can believe that you are retiring, but 41 years... That is very hard to believe. And rein you in, when did that happen? Congratulations on a successful and meaningful career.  All I can say is that every district that you worked for, you rose above it. And by doing so, redefined for each district what was possible. 

Thank you.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote Presentation) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of September 7, 2014

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now Twitter users.  If you haven’t done so yet, we want you to join us.  To let you see what you are missing, here are the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of September 7, 2014.

1. Instructional leaders never forget that your attitude is contagious. Infect everyone with hope and optimism. (By @LYSNation)

2. Ended a SUPER week implementing Fundamental 5 practices – Thanks, Barbara Fine!! (By @Crysrommuel)

3. I cannot be any more direct than this. If the staff does not model the student dress code, don't have a student dress code. (By @LYSNation)

4. Looking at common assessment results. Making adjustments in a timelier manner and with a much clearer purpose. (By @vhsaldana)

5. Today's Quote:  "A good education is another name for happiness." (By @DrRichAllen)

6. If we are sending kids home with loads of homework because there wasn't enough time in class, then we need to re-evaluate what we are focusing on. (By @justintarte)

7. "If it is important, meaningful or critical... Grab a pen and write it down." (By MagnoliaJrHigh)

8. Grades for parent signatures equals grade inflation. (By @TinneyTroy)

9.  “Dan Patrick’s record is very clear on this—He voted twice against our kids.” By (@leticiavdp)

10. Just notified that West Texas A&M University is using The Fundamental 5 (Cain & Laird) as a text in the College of Education! (By @LYSNation)

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote Presentation) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Coming Next Month... The Fundamental 5 National Summit

The second annual Fundamental 5 National Summit will be held in Austin, Texas on October 5^th and 6^th.  Last year over 400 educators from across the country (and Canada) met for the purpose of better implementing the Fundamental 5 on their campuses.

This is a practitioner’s summit, with real live teachers and campus administrators leading the breakout sessions.

The Fundamental 5 National Summit is open to all states, all schools, and all grade levels! Bring your team and experience the power that is unleashed when theory and practice align.



The Fundamental 5 National Summit

Austin, Texas

October 5 & 6, 2014

Open to All Educators

Presented by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote Presentation) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook